Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Axium mobile app failing to connect?


This is usually caused by a range networking issues, for example:

  • WiFi is not enabled or flight mode is active on the phone or tablet.
  • There are multiple WiFi access points available to the phone or tablet and it has connected to one that does not have access to the Axium system through its network. Mobile devices may jump between WiFi access points if more than one is available.
  • Poor WiFi reception, i.e. the phone or tablet is at the limits of the WiFi range or there is excessive interference from other WiFi transmitters using the same or neighbouring channel.
  • WiFi is too busy causing packet loss.
  • Buggy networking equipment (network switches, access points, etc). For example the Huawei HG659 router provided by Vodafone and Spark in NZ for fiber connections has a serious bug that corrupts multicast traffic between its wired network ports and consequently Axium equipment cannot be branched off from more than one of its network ports. Check for firmware updates for all network devices.
  • Multiple DHCP servers. If several network components are used then sometimes more than one DHCP server may be present, in which case all but one should be disabled.
  • IGMP snooping is active in the networking equipment. Although Axium equipment supports IGMP, many network devices implement IGMP snooping poorly and this frequently leads to problems. Furthermore, IGMP snooping only works if an IGMP querier exists in the network and this is usually not the case. Therefore IGMP snooping breaks multicast functionality on most networks and must therefore be disabled. We also recommend connecting all Axium devices to an unmanaged switch, which is connected to the router rather than connecting the Axium devices directly to the router.
  • ​IP address conflicts. Avoid assigning static IP addresses to any devices as this can lead to conflicts.
  • Android storage permissions may not be granted on Android versions 6 or later. Check Android storage permissions.
  • ​No internet access on the network. The auto discovery mode of the Axium mobile app may need to first download an appropriate layout.


​Please use the "Network Test" option in the "Tools" menu of Axium Design Portal to test the network for performance problems or improper behaviour. Axium Design Portal is available from the Downloads - Software and Firmware page.


​Why doesn't the Axium mobile app show all my zones? / Why does the AMM not show any zones when configuring?


If your Axium system consists of multiple devices such as two or more amplifiers or an amplifier and an AMM, then they need to be able to communicate with each other through multicasted messages. If the networking equipment is blocking this from happening then these problems will arise. Try deactivating IGMP snooping or connecting all Axium devices to an unmanaged switch, which is connected to the router rather than connecting the Axium devices directly to the router. AX-400 and AX-800 amplifiers must also be running the "X" firmware versions to be seen by the AMM and other newer amplifiers.


What is the difference between the free and paid versions of the Axium mobile app?


The free version of the Axium mobile app requires that either an Axium amplifier or controller (AX-R4C/R4D/R1D) be installed and online. If only a controller is used then a layout must be uploaded to the mobile device using Axium Design Portal and the mobile device in the project must actively use a resource on the controller. The paid version can be used without restrictions and may be used for exclusively controlling third party equipment by sending IP commands and on certain Android devices IR commands can be transmitted directly.


I've uploaded a layout using Axium Design Portal to the mobile device but it's not working. Why?


The Axium mobile app must be able to communicate with the Axium devices in the project. Reasons why this might not be happening:

  • Any of the reasons listed above under "Why is the Axium mobile app failing to connect?"
  • Not all of the devices in the project have been uploaded to. Axium Design Portal shows these devices in bold in the project viewer.
  • Axium devices have had their settings overwritten or cleared. If another project is uploaded to some Axium devices or if a "restore defaults" is performed then these devices will require a new upload from the original project for them to become part of that project again.
  • Axium devices in the project do not physically exist in the system or are not online (i.e. powered and have a functioning network connection).
  • Axium devices in the project have been uploaded to multiple physical devices. Each Axium device in the project must correspond to exactly one physical device, no more and no less.


​Why can I not upload in Axium Design Portal?


Uploading to the Axium mobile app is performed over the network via WiFi and uploads to Axium devices can be performed over the network and/or by USB, depending on the device type. If all upload options are disabled then make sure an Axium device is selected in the project viewer. It is not possible to upload locations, non-Axium devices and other objects.


Uploading by USB - the Axium device is selected in the Project Viewer and "Upload selected device (USB)" (under the toolbar upload button or by right clicking the device) is selected. If the menu option is disabled then make sure the device has power and is connected by its own USB port to the PC running Axium Design Portal. The USB connection status is shown in the bottom left corner of the Axium Design Portal main window and it should show the device type that is to receive the upload.


Uploading over the network - the Axium device must be identified by its serial number, the PC must be on the same network as the Axium device and the network must not be blocking multicast messages.


Updating over the network - the Axium device must have already been programmed and the above mentioned network requirements apply.


Uploading to a mobile device - the Axium mobile app must be started and the mobile device must be connected via WiFi to the same network as the PC running ADP.


How do I get Spotify?


Spotify for Axium systems is available with the Axium Media Manager (AMM) and the Spotify app. A Spotify Premium account is recommended.


How do I link and unlink zones in Spotify?


The Spotify app currently has no facility for linking and unlinking zones but it has been rumoured that they are working on an improvement.​ Presently the Axium app or another means (amplifier's web interface, KPC, etc.) must be used. If a zone is turned on and the same source is selected as another zone that is playing Spotify, then Spotify will show both zones as linked. Turning a zone off or selecting another source will unlink it. See Adding more zones to Spotify for more information.


Why are some radio stations not listed under TuneIn?


The lists of radio stations shown under TuneIn are provided by TuneIn and not by Axium. Additionally some radio stations may only provide audio stream formats that are not supported by Axium equipment.


How do I add a radio station to the list of favourites?


There are several ways of doing this:

  • In the Axium mobile app select a radio station and long press the station icon. Select "Add to favourites" when it appears.
  • ​In the web application select a radio station and click on the button with the star symbol.
  • Advanced: In the web application go to the Media page in the /config section and manually enter the station and the audio stream URL. This can be useful for adding radio stations or other online audio resources that are not listed by TuneIn.


What are distributed sources and what are independent sources?


An Axium system can be "distributed", i.e. it need not all be installed in one place. Axium amplifiers can be installed in different locations near to audio source equipment or speakers installed in those areas and all amplifiers are nevertheless able to access the audio sources from all locations over the wired network. The Axium Media Manager (AMM) provides eight media player sources as distributed sources to any Axium amplifiers on the network. For more information see Axium Distributed Sources Explained.


When Axium amplifiers are installed in different locations then any sources that are connected to them will most likely not be connected to any other Axium amplifiers and so those sources are thus independent of the other amplifiers. However if several amplifiers such as the AX-1250 are installed as a traditional amplifier stack with the same sources connected to each, then the sources on these amplifiers are not independent from each other because they are the same sources.


What are remote uploads?


One of the problems with setting up a complex system with custom mobile app layouts is having to re-visit the site whenever the customer requests a change or if a new mobile device needs to be programmed with the custom layout. With the remote uploads feature, Axium Design Portal solves this problem by uploading any project changes to the cloud. The end-user's mobile phone or tablet then displays an update notification in the Axium mobile app which allows them to update their devices themselves.


Why is ​Play from My Device not working?


This function can also be affected by the above networking issues. It also requires continuous good quality WiFi and that the Axium app remains active on the mobile device. Android and iOS will unload software when memory is required for other apps, so switching to another app may cause the Axium mobile app to be unloaded thus stopping the audio stream.


Why is TuneIn not working or why does TuneIn sometimes stop working?


The audio stream is downloaded over the Internet and therefore requires a continuous and uninterrupted network connection from the radio station through to the amplifier or AMM that is playing the stream. If this cannot be guaranteed then playback may be interrupted or not be possible.


Why don't my playlists show up in the media player local music library?


When using Android this may be the case because some media players (including those by Google) have been made with questionable decision making, whereby such apps save their playlists internally instead of with the system media store that everything else is part of. As a result the playlists created by these apps are only accessible to them. There are alternative music apps which do things sensibly such as 'Samsung Music' and 'Pulsar Music Player' which do work as expected. If your preferred music player app uses incompatible private playlists, you may still be able to create a system available playlist that will work in the Axium app by using an app that does use the media store properly. Later you can then remove the music app used to make the playlist since the playlist is registered with the system media store and not tied to the app.


The Mini4 is only 30 Watts per zone. Wont it be too quiet?


While it is true that the AX-Mini4 has approximately quarter of the output power of the AX-1250, human hearing has a logarithmic response to volume which is why volume is measured with logarithmic units known as decibels. Quarter of the power is a reduction in volume of only about 6dB. To put this in practical terms, this is a difference of only about 3 volume steps on an Axium amplifier, which is less than 8% of the full volume range. Loudness is subjective but generally an increase of 10dB, which is 10 times the power, is accepted by most listeners as the difference in level that seems twice as loud.